EP 40: A Practical Guide to Finding a Healthy Church in a New Military Community

EP 42: Help... I'm Marrying a Military Man

Nobody hands you a clear map for what happens after you marry a military man, and the gap between the wedding-day dream and the day-to-day reality can feel brutal. Brittany Brown sits down with Joshua Brown, plus Brian and Kelli O’Day, to talk straight about military spouse life and why there’s real hope on the other side of the hard parts. We unpack the mindset shifts that protect a marriage from resentment, especially the trap of treating military marriage like a transaction. We talk about the unique “whole family” pressure of military service: PCS moves, deployments, long hours, and the emotional weight of uncertainty. Joshua brings in 1 Peter 3:7 as a call for husbands to live with understanding, honor their wives, and lead with empathy instead of brushing off how difficult this life can be. From there, we get practical. We share how to think about grief and “mini deaths” when you leave home, career plans, friends, and familiar rhythms. We also name the emotions many new military wives feel but rarely say out loud: loneliness, confusion, anxiety, and the loss of control. You’ll hear simple tools like learning when to troubleshoot on your own versus asking for help, why blaming the military for “doing military things” can make you bitter, and how “don’t compare your hards” can keep you united when both of you are exhausted. If you’re engaged, newly married, or supporting someone who is, hit play, share this with a friend, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. If the conversation helps you, leave a review and tell us what topic you want us to tackle next. What do you want us to have a conversation about? Let us know by shooting us an email at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES: 1. Amazon.com : j curve book [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=j+curve+book&adgrpid=1340305245585289&hvadid=83769316479786&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83769440106860%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22531_13494420&mcid=a761922c76b93047b36c06e8464a8971&msclkid=b54905f89b8e14a6115f6ff4256041a9&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_hzgpx5nuw_e] 2. Let Me Be a Woman: Notes to My Daughter on the Meaning of Womanhood: Elisabeth Elliot: 9780842321624: Amazon.com: Books [https://www.amazon.com/Let-Me-Woman-Elisabeth-Elliot/dp/0842321624/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=1341404748655674&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mekvnrn6cFOrUb5R9-6MiPRxQg7jMa--DfPtiPHOGoWEgn2Wz_rWxfboSIPZa3REorDIxkAofNhgViFBL32rAHTT12QPJ8SV5n8eRMMBCw7gh2vqDGL259H3vNlVw3ansCEtoZXVwPTmPMrU8pJO94GRn_8UX6o2pCztkSX4jQGjfTTfhHOTh0ltjvRsjoEOtx4Me5hHdeaBLlfhYRPOglQ8AOkk5Js9pUskArEEFOc.CQ7M9PYKd_hwUgTcXK3SoN6lAgQUSyKN1VWtwQDGQYs&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83838035965833&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83838136918164%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=8295_13501967&keywords=let+me+be+a+woman+elisabeth+elliot&mcid=2db3430bc63e3a62b25bfc2b1ece1490&msclkid=a1f6ec3c1e0c1fb816a68630a11e44d1&qid=1779220245&sr=8-2] 3. Amazon.com : control girl book [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=control+girl+book&adgrpid=1331509144775809&hvadid=83219560628690&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83219665002583%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22536_13494472&mcid=c8cdf840c0f738ad8a4f2bc244308392&msclkid=18e1adf12bbf178f8d5fc7fd94f96ee1&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_6hael3351n_p] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526370/support] http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective [http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective]

EP 41: Whose Glory Is Your Work Really For?

The fastest way to burn out at work is to build your identity on applause. We sit down and ask a question that gets uncomfortably practical: whose glory is my work for? Not just on the big, public days, but in the quiet hours when nobody notices, nobody thanks you, and the tasks feel small. We start with a Biblical foundation for a Christian view of work, going back to Genesis 2 where God gives Adam work before the fall. That changes how we see vocation and calling, whether you’re active duty military, a veteran adjusting to life after service, a teacher, a homemaker, a student, or someone grinding through a job that feels unseen. We also unpack what “glory” actually means, and how the praise of people can become a subtle idol even when our words sound spiritual. From promotions and award ceremonies to the everyday temptation to self promote, we talk about practical ways to redirect credit to God without slipping into fake humility or self deprecation. We also name the cost of chasing “trinkets” like rank, recognition, and status, and why that chase often produces anxiety, anger, envy, and a fragile sense of self, especially when military structure disappears after separation. Finally, we get into the workday moments that test us most: distractions and interruptions. We share how looking up, listening well, and treating people as the assignment can be one of the clearest ways to glorify God, following Jesus’ example of stopping for the person in front of Him. If you want a stronger Christian work ethic, steadier joy, and a cleaner motive at work, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. SHOW NOTES: Don't forget we want to hear from you! Drop us your conversation ideas at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com RESOURCES: 1. Glory in the Ordinary: Why Your Work in the Home Matters to God (The Gospel Coalition): Reissig, Courtney: 9781433552670: Amazon.com: Books [https://www.amazon.com/Glory-Ordinary-Matters-Gospel-Coalition/dp/1433552671/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=1346902310147343&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S54tWDOPNdmfXymSKnIx2519wt6xr7x7yHlXgq77ViASHovdUm5Qoqq_CeZsoCFQfZyBiNcg36NCX_FxkoYZbSkgsiWJnVdXB9rUKHMDtNDT9gQygWqw6CqzVQKudp8ZklUdB1Z34i9QQWyaQ-fZxf00FHsa34ZaMyA5Bmsz7BSUqXBL7ZRW9VtDGfm1WIjnqV7-aF44TwJ1x84wayCpw4e73nB5_33Ha-ZopJGJsds.YMxFtGgOZW1fSLKj9zlYYrs59HBzUVrO4CWnHdjxdRw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=84181633388371&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84181742525764%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22561_13494450&keywords=glory+in+the+ordinary&mcid=cfbdad10a2053f41b50099376d56f2d9&msclkid=b5454b144fa9199818102118f35f4d18&qid=1779219707&sr=8-2] 2. Amazon.com : unseen sara hagerty [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=unseen+sara+hagerty&adgrpid=1332610653267730&hvadid=83288450039446&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83289375053983%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=8238_13501883&mcid=8698892948613900b58a4424ee44244b&msclkid=3537fb831d411016a70d918fa07bb051&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_c6q6y1j1r_e] 3. Amazon.com : redeeming productivity reagan rose [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=redeeming+productivity+reagan+rose&adgrpid=1345803927764862&hvadid=84113061582865&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-84113779640945%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=6778_13441397&mcid=0d6da924edee3289b378c194879a243a&msclkid=838dab3d2ca011371b32c13191ca7a5c&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_3p62ix0tvh_e] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526370/support] http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective [http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective]

EP 40: A Practical Guide to Finding a Healthy Church in a New Military Community

PCS orders can scramble everything, schedules, friendships, routines, even your sense of home. So we’re getting super practical about one question that can make or break a duty station: how do I find a local church in my military community? We’ve lived the frequent moves, and now we’re on the other side as church leaders watching families arrive and depart week after week.  We talk about why the best day to start is today, and why “churches near me” searches can slow you down instead of helping. Our first move is simple: ask a genuine, maturing Christian in the place you’re headed, or ask leaders and friends at your current church who they know. Then we share how we narrow the list to one to three churches using trusted directories like PraetorianProject.org, NineMarks.org, The Pillar Network, and The Gospel Coalition.  From there, we dig into vetting a church through preaching. Listening to sermons ahead of time helps you see whether a church’s doctrine and tone match what they claim online, and it gives you a real feel for the week-to-week “spiritual meal” you’re stepping into. We also explain why choosing where to live based on church life can protect your family’s community when military life gets busy, and why it’s worth joining a church locally even if you plan to move again soon.  If this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s moving, and leave a review so more military families can find it. What’s been the hardest part of finding a church after a PCS? SHOW NOTES: Connect with us at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com we'd love to hear from you! 1. Our Churches - Praetorian Project [https://praetorianproject.org/churches/] 2. Church Search on 9 Marks- https://www.9marks.org/church-search/ 3. Pillar Church Network Church Directory- Churches — Pillar Network [https://thepillarnetwork.com/directory] 4. The Gospel Coalition – Church Directory [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/churches/] 5. PCS Well: Moving in a God-Honoring, You-Flourishing Way – Brian O'Day [https://brianoday.com/2026/01/30/pcs-well-moving-in-a-god-honoring-you-flourishing-way/] 6. Amazon.com : 9 marks of healthy church [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9+marks+of+healthy+church&adgrpid=1340305238413417&hvadid=83769316475512&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83769424304470%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22565_13494486&mcid=0804d3597dd438e7ad4e46463a9400e6&msclkid=ea7d7ee90fdf1fd1648c14e355537f34&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_30bya5ctir_e] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526370/support] http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective [http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective]

EP 39: Sabbath Rest Amidst a High-Intensity Life

Your calendar can be packed and your mission can be real and important, and you can still be running on fumes. We sit down as friends and spouses to talk about Sabbath rest in a high-intensity community, especially the military world where “keep pushing” feels like the only acceptable answer and where people are put in charge of others early. We start with simple ways couples reconnect like an after-dinner walk, then widen the lens to the deeper question: what does it mean to stop on purpose and treat rest as holy rather than optional? We read the Fourth Commandment from Exodus and wrestle with what it demands and what it protects, including rest for the people and systems we lead. We talk honestly about the lie that rest is for weak people, why hustle culture warps our view of value, and how Sabbath becomes a blessing that restores perspective. Using a practical framework from Order in Your Private World, we explore how to look back, look up, and look ahead so we can process the week, worship with intention, and step into what’s next without sliding into anxiety and doom loops. We also get concrete about military schedules, duty days, deployments, payback weekends, and using leave well, while avoiding legalism about a specific day. We discuss defining “ordinary work,” choosing recharging activities that fit your job demands, and teaching kids a quieter rhythm when life is loud. We close with hope from Hebrews 4, pointing to Jesus as our ultimate rest. If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s burning out, and leave a review so more military families can find a healthier rhythm. Have questions for us? Want to connect with us and let us know your thoughts about the podcast? SEND US AN EMAIL at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com SHOW NOTES FROM TODAY'S EPISODE: 1. Brittany has mentioned the book, Ordering Your Private World- a few times on the podcast. Grab a copy- it's an easy read, packed full of wisdom for the ages! Amazon.com : ordering your private world [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ordering+your+private+world&i=stripbooks&adgrpid=1340306014314809&hvadid=83769316505839&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83770008026176%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=8267_13501948&mcid=dbff14c75f023ec7b537c8c4cf661802&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_60xth4s2ux_e] 2. Sabbath is a matter of the soul. The sabbath was created for man, not man for the sabbath. Sabbath is a good gift to us, and a command. We are limited beings, and our soul needs caring for. Soul Keeping, is one of Brittany's top 10 book recommendations. Amazon.com : soul keeping john ortberg [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=soul+keeping+john+ortberg&i=stripbooks&adgrpid=1332609823780386&hvadid=83288403251045&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83289172540939%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22565_13494486&mcid=a79aa52814383a5aa70c21bf242e442d&msclkid=9d2578a943071b631cd9114d9fcb2538&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_4t7bylpo2r_e] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526370/support] http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective [http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective]

EP 38: Are You Putting God First? Brian's Before and After Moment in His Military Career

The uniform can become a mirror, and if you stare into it long enough you start to believe it tells you who you are. Around our table, Brian shares the precise moment he realized his life was out of order: he wasn’t simply a Christian serving in the Marine Corps, he was living as a Marine first and a Christian second. That identity gap didn’t just affect church attendance, it shaped his motives, his leadership, his marriage, and his willingness to speak openly about Jesus. We dig into what changed after a sermon in January 2008 flipped the priority stack. Brian didn’t quit the military on the spot. Instead, his “why” shifted. We talk about military leadership, character, and the difference between being a high performer and being genuinely high trust. Metrics can track fitness and efficiency, but they can’t measure integrity, humility, or whether someone will sacrifice for the good of others when nobody is watching. From there, we widen the lens to ordered loves (ordo amoris) and why Christians need their devotion to God to sit above career, rank, and even good gifts like family. We also get practical for young service members: questions about faith at work, moral clarity, church, Scripture, and how to learn from both the people who are doing life well and the ones quietly falling apart. The goal is simple: a more ordered soul that produces steadier peace, better service, and stronger relationships. If you’re a Christian in the military or married to one, listen, share it with a friend, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next conversation. After you listen, leave a review and tell us: what tends to take first place in your life? CONNECT WITH US! Let us know what you want us to chat about next. Email us at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com SHOW NOTES: - Have you felt like you need a refresh? Maybe you are searching for balance? Check out this super helpful book: Amazon.com : ordering your private world [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ordering+your+private+world&i=stripbooks&adgrpid=1340306014314809&hvadid=83769316505839&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=80708&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83770008026176%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=8267_13501948&mcid=dbff14c75f023ec7b537c8c4cf661802&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_60xth4s2ux_e] - Isaiah 6 - Find a local church and plug in:  Church Search - 9Marks [https://www.9marks.org/church-search/] Our Churches - Praetorian Project [https://praetorianproject.org/churches/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526370/support] http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective [http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective]